The NOLA Horror Film Fest is a festival created by horror filmmakers for horror fans. It’s no small wonder - and no great surprise - that so many of today’s top directors got their start in “low budget horror”. With determination and imagination, these artists have created some truly memorable work that has encouraged and inspired a new generation of filmmakers. Our goal is the promotion of Genre Filmmaking in Louisiana, as well as nationally and internationally. The NOLAHFF is committed to celebrating the craft and advancing the art form of Genre Films.

The NOLA Horror Film Fest takes place in one of the most famous - and most haunted - cities in the world. From the Thursday night festivities (Opening Night Screening, Opening Night Party w/ Live Band), through three days of the best horror & sci-fi programs (Features & Shorts Screenings, Filmmaker Q&A’s, Panel Discussions, Filmmaker Lunch, Special Guests), to the Sunday night events (Awards Ceremony), the NOLAHFF is going to be a weekend to remember. We encourage filmmakers, casts & crews, friends & family, and horror fans alike to experience New Orleans (from the food to the music to the history).

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Louisiana Film
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting
Best Writing
Best Cinematography
Best Visual Effects
Best Makeup Effects
Best Student Film

Rules & Terms

*[Please read the Rules & Terms BEFORE submitting]

TERMS:
By submitting to the NOLA Horror Film Fest through FilmFreeway, you are stating that you are the owner of your entry and it is your original work. While we understand that you retain all rights to ownership of the work, you hereby give the NOLA Horror Film Fest permission to feature, advertise, display, in whole or in part, the work titled and described herein, for festival purposes including promotion.

You also understand that you entry is valid only upon completion of the following conditions: (1) receipt of a copy of the work, (2) the processing of the entry fee by the festival organization, and (3) when the work is found to be original and owned by you or those you represent.

Each work is judged solely on its own merits.

RULES:
1. Please select only ONE SUBMISSION CATEGORY per project. Projects submitted in multiple categories could be subject to disqualification.
2. All films MUST BE submitted via ONLINE screener (Vimeo preferred, but not required). NO PHYSICAL DVDs accepted for submission.
3. There is no completion date. The NOLAHFF accepts films from any year.
4. NO Premiere Status required.
5. Films can have a distribution deal, but should not be available Online (VOD, NetFlix, etc.) prior to the festival dates.
6. Foreign films (in their original language) must be presented with English language subtitles.
7. Student film submissions require proof of enrollment. Entries by filmmakers UNDER 18 years of age MUST be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. Student films are ONLY ELIGIBLE for the Best Student Film Award and do not qualify in any other award category.
8. All submitted films must be COMPLETE. The NOLAHFF no longer accepts Work-In-Progress submissions.
9. The NOLAHFF does not pay screening fees.

Unfortunately, the NOLAHFF cannot offer submission fee waivers.

16 Reviews

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Michael Bartolomeo

I attended the NOLA HFF in 2015 and can't say enough about how well run it was. JT and Charles are great guys whose passion for the genre permeates every aspect of the fest. The audiences were hungry, and the films were awesome, and it was a blast being a part of this community and sharing our love of terrifying people. I had a film play again in 2017 and was unfortunately unable to attend, but the festival's communication and promotion was once again top notch. Can't wait to go again.

Alex Salazar

This is an incredible festival! JT and his staff were wonderful from start to finish - communicative, friendly and lovers of great films. With great opportunities to network and amazing movies to watch in between, I can't recommend NOLA Horror Film Fest enough.